Framing Broadway posters for cheap?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:11am

Does anyone have tips for getting cheap frame for Broadway posters? I'd like the frame to be the exact size of the poster.

We have about twenty posters that we're wanting to frame, so it's gotta be cheap!

Wal-mart and Target only have the standard size frames that are all too big for the Broadway posters.

Thanks! (and I tried searching to no prevail but I could have sworn that there was a thread about this)

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:17am

Hobby Lobby does GREAT work and you can get deals for multipl items. Micheal's Art & Crafts has a great selection of "odd sized" frames, but they are a tad bit more expensive.

My brother is a manager and does custom framing/runs the framing dept. at HL

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:22am

Michael's is SOOOO expensive!

I'm looking for a $10 or less frame!

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:29am

Doesn't Triton Gallery sell 'em?

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:32am

We bought the frame at either Target or Walgreens that was too big. We put a white piece of paper behind the poster and the poster in the middle. The white serves as a border (you can use black or whatever color matches) and it looks nice.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:43am

$10.00 buck or less isn't going to work if you want it done right.


If you don't want to spend huge amounts of cash right now, just get the cheaper frames and put either black or white paper behind for masking.....

Then, you'll have the look.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:44am

Ain't gonna happen for $10 or less. The dimensions on window cards are 14" x 22" and not commercially popular, hence why places don't carry them.

You should seek out frame stores, but you won't find them for $10 or less. They're more in the $30-$40 range, unfortunately.

Triton Gallery does carry them -- a plexiglass version which just holds the window card sells for $22 and the framed version you're looking for sells for $40.
Triton Gallery - Window Card Frames info

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:46am

I usually get them from Americanframe.com for about $20. They can cut the poster frames to any size you need. They look like the ones sold at Triton.

[azeller]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 12:25pm

I also use Americanframe.com and have had no problems. They are going to run you between $20-25 for a very basic frame but it will be cut to your specifications.

Check out the boxes on the right side of the homepage. They sometimes have discounts or freebies that you can include in your order.

[BJC899]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 12:38pm

There is a dealer on Ebay who sells them for about 14$. They're great...perfect fit.

[mightydog]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 2:21pm

I have had posters framed at a shop on 2nd Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets. I believe it cost $15. I do not remember the name but I am going there later today and I can check for you.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 2:29pm

http://www.framesbymail.com/

I've never used this site myself, but I've heard good things.

[Anakela]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 3:05pm

I used an eBayer named hollywoodposterframes for my frames, 39.99 for two 14x22 frames, and they were totally perfect- the seller even emailed me to check if my cards were vertical or horizontal orientation, so the frames came already wired in the back, ready to be hung. I think they might do discounts on multiple orders, but their eBay store is down until the new year, so I could not check on that.

(disclaimer: I am not a shill, I am not this eBayer, I don't get a cut, etc.)


hollywoodposterframes

[teh_pretty]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 4:07pm

I framed a few posters with frames from Ikea. They were $10 and came in a bunch of colours (red, black, yellow...) and fit the posters almost exactly. There's a tiny bit of space on the left and right, but nothing to cry over.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 11:06pm

Thanks, all. Just some info for everyone that I found out going to six different framing places:

Michael's will frame it 14x22 for %53.20 which is at 50% off. This includes a plastic black frame and glass. Without glass knocks off $4.

However, I am told that you NEED a backing acid-free core board AND either glass or plexiglass in the front. If you don't have these, your poster will be damaged within months either by discoloring from the sun or lighting, warping, rolling, dust, etc.

At Michael's I checked on the DIY framing. Just the frame is $20 together. Then you also need a backing and plexiglass or glass.

An independent framing store would do it for $38 each. Plastic black frame.

A flea market store would do it for $40 each with a black detailed wooden frame. Without glass is $32 each.

So I will now be checking out that eBay seller, Triton, and the other online suggestions. I don't want to go above $25 per frame. Thanks to all for your tips!

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 1/1/07 at 4:36am

If you don't mind waiting for a while, and you're in the city, the best place to get windowcard frames is the BC/EFA Flea Market in September. Triton always has a table and they sell their frames for a deep discount. One year I was able to get the plexiglas frames for $10 each; another year I bought the fancy metal frames for $20 apiece. It's worth the wait IMHO.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 1/1/07 at 1:40pm

is a window card 14x22? then I buy the 18x24, and put a background in them..it's cheap but looks really nice.

I do the same with my playbills...I have 8x10 frames and just put cardstock behind them. Someday I'm gonna redo them all with a page of sheet music from the show behind them...feel free to steal my idea...:) lol

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/1/07 at 1:44pm

I buy from hollywoodposterframes all the time. The more you buy at once the more you save. If you can afford to get 10 at a time it's the best deal and the frames are fantastic.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/20/07 at 12:24pm

I just ordered several frames from hollywoodposterframes. I'm still waiting for them to arrive, but so far, they've been really accomodating. They answered my questions promptly and contacted me to make sure that my posters were indeed exactly 14x22, since they hand-cut the frames themselves, as well as to find out if they were vertical or horizontal posters. Shipping is free if you buy multiple frames, too!

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 1/20/07 at 1:06pm

I also buy from hollywoodposterframes and have had no problems. They're definitely the cheapest I could find.
Updated On: 1/20/07 at 01:06 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/20/07 at 1:45pm

StephanietheStar, I love that idea.

[desiree armfeldt]

Posted: 1/20/07 at 5:39pm

also...general side note abt posters: if you live in NYC, a lot of delis and cleaners and other small stores are often given posters from this random company to put up in their windows and doorways and if you go in very politely, the store owners will often give them to you :)

so far i've snagged sweeney, musical of musicals, bklyn, pajama game and a bunch of others!

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 1:43pm

This is kinda off the topic but...

Some of the ticket stubs I have are wearing down. The words are like..wearing off.

When I get them, I put contact paper on them. Some of the tickets stay in perfect condition but others do not. I have tickets from 2003 that are very clear and nice. Others, I can barely see at all. The weird thing is, they are specific shows that wear down more than others.
Avenue Q tickets stay clear. Tickets such as Spring Awakening and Wedding Singer start wearing out within a few weeks.

Any ideas on why this is and what can be done?